Topography Site Plans

Dialog Project

Before I began this I made curved structures by soaking my skewers in hot water and then connecting the skewers by using two sheets of bristol board. I played with the structures to make multiple different dialogs until I finally came to my final. The final really exemplifies dialog by using two different levels and vertical and horizontal aspects. I used the curved structures to make the horizontal part of the dialog which shows a closed conversation. The vertical part of the dialog is part of the closed conversation, but is searching for new conversation by being more open and above the horizontal part.

Critique Questions

How is dialog created?
- business/closed conversation with "L" shaped pieces
- used the idea of 2, two skewers on each other, two bristol boards on each side
- abstract/busy chatter
How is a sense of space/place defined?
- positive/negative space
- uses openness/closeness to create space
- uses cards rather than skewers to define space
How is the idea of system generated?
- uses curves/straight edges to create system
- flows creating somewhat of a system with movement
How does the joinery support the project concept/strategies?
- uses skewers to stabilize and hold together
- breaks or curves in skewers
How is scale utilized in the project?
- larger on one side, represents conversation with talker/listener
- small spaces are scaled to intertwine and be even
- open/closed relativity
How do two-dimensional images add to the understanding of the project?
- shows details of structure
- gives appearance, but draws eye to understand more
How did the initial project idea evolve?
- began thinking about conversation literally and then became more abstract
- refined unity project

Unity Project

When building my unity project I explored the option of a diamond shaped fan and then tried to make an actual diamond out of my skewers and bristol paper. The fan was too weak with the and the rubber cement kept making it fall apart. Then my teacher showed me that the fan actually looked like a diamond. Then I thought about making a diamond. I really did not like the diamond idea and it really did not show much unity. Then for my final I wanted to make something like square lamp or lantern. I decided to make three rectangular shaped blocks out of the skewers and bristol board. I alternated the paper on the outside to make the joints and I also alternated the heights of the blocks to show the skewers more and to unify them through their shapes and joints. Overall I think that they are really unified around one idea of alternation.

Graphics for Unity Project

Twig Project Progress

For my twig project I began with the idea of a sort of Charlie Brown tree, which looked more like a monora. I really wanted to show the twigs better and I was not sure that the tree was place for twelve twigs. So I cam up the idea to make a cylinder and have the twigs inside and outside in a sort of pattern. I used a bright yellow to really accentuate the twigs and the bonding agent was tension with the holes that look like the hole on a plastic lid that a straw sticks through. I really liked that idea, but I wanted to take it further and really make a place for the twigs. My final project is in the shape of a rectangular cube with a window in the side to really make it clear where to look to see the twigs. I closed in the top and bottom so that they would not take away from the window. I also cut and sanded the twigs on the outside to show what the twigs look like on the inside and to make them more symmetrical with the joints in the rectangle, but I kept the twigs the natural way on the inside and used the same pattern in previous iterations.

Leaf Project

For my leaf project I started out with the idea of building a tree with seven branches to represent the seven prongs on the leaf and using the leaf as the tree topper to represent the prong on the very top of the leaf. Then I really wanted to show the prongs, so with the help of my teacher, I created a sort of cradle where the prongs stick out between each bar. Finally, I came up with my final project. I used a bright green background to really allow the darkness of the leaf to pop and the burgandy bands are the same color as the deep veins that run throughout the leaf as it is dying. The small squares really accentuate the prongs by letting light in and giving them a place to rest.

Compare and Contrast

My project uses three different rectangular models that are connected at the corners to make-up one unified model. I used skewers on the outside of each corner with alternating paper to really allow the skewers to be seen. I also used alternating levels of the rectangular models and connected them to the base by using the pointed ends to puncture the cardboard. Greg's model is very similar to mine in many ways, such as: having the skewers on the outside, using different levels, and by using a cardboard base. Although, his is more round and like a spiral, while mine is using more of a rectangular shape. He did use different levels so that his model looks like a spiral stair case and it is unified in the middle where the spiral is leading to. Mine is more unified in the way that the skewers meet each other on the corners and how the paper meets the skewers.

Peak Oil

Today in Theory Hour we watched a film on Peak Oil. Peak Oil is the idea that oil will reach its peak by year 1970 and that 50% of all oil will already be used by year 2000. The film was mostly about Cuba and how their way of life changed when their oil supply was taken away. They went for years on nothing, oil was used in their factories to make food and power their buildings and was also used to fuel thier cars. When the oil was taken away they began to ride bikes to work and everyone lost at least twenty pounds in a year. They began to grow organic foods and used oxen to plow their fields. They also began using compost to renew the soil when it becomes unable to use anymore. Farmers were the wealthiest group of people in the entire country and owned land and animals. They also began land contracting, where farmers would be given a piece of land without having to pay taxes as long as they grew organic foods.